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http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/ps4-update-2-03-seeks-more-stability/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/12/03/ps4-update-2-03-seeks-more-stability/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Sony issued an update for PlayStation 4 consoles last night, which is expected to further improve system stability. Update 2.03's notes are minimal, simply stating that "system software stability during use of some features has been improved" with the patch.

The update arrived three weeks after firmware version 2.02 for the system, which bore the same description as yesterday's patch. In both cases, the updates clean up the multitude of problems introduced by Sony's major 2.00 update in late October. The subsequent early November patch rectified the rest mode issues, though it seems the console manufacturer had more items to tweak in the system. As of the end of October, shipments for the PS4 reached 13.5 million consoles.

Twitter
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2.002.03firmwarepatchplaystationps4ps4-2.00ps4-2.03sonystabilityupdateWed, 03 Dec 2014 17:00:00 -050011|21002246http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/playstation-4-firms-up-with-2-02-system-update-available-now/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/playstation-4-firms-up-with-2-02-system-update-available-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/playstation-4-firms-up-with-2-02-system-update-available-now/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Hot on the heels of the PS4's 2.01 system update is - you guessed it - 2.02, available to download now. We've successfully nabbed and installed the firmware, but the patch notes currently offer little to report on what it's changed. According to Sony's support page, with 2.02 "system software stability during use of some features has been improved." Well, then.

2.02 is the second PS4 update within a week, so it seems likely that, like 2.01, it's designed to tackle some of the problems that arose after the major 2.00 update. 2.00 caused a variety of glitches for some users, such as the console not powering up from Rest Mode (as addressed by the 2.01 update). 2.00 has also got on badly with certain games, including the Evolve alpha and, as our review attested to, the upcoming Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Here's our Editor's Note from the review:

"The PlayStation 4 version of Dragon Age: Inquisition currently experiences severe crashing hourly, requiring consoles be unplugged and restarted. EA and Sony have told us this is due to the console's recent 2.0 firmware update. Joystiq has been informed this issue will be corrected in a day one patch. We were provided a console by Sony with an advance copy of the upcoming patch. Following that we experienced only one crash that went immediately to the dashboard. We will update this note on the game's launch day."

@PlayStationEU
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2.02dragon-age-3dragon-age-inquisitionEAfirmwareplaystationps4psnsonyTue, 11 Nov 2014 09:30:00 -050011|20991844http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/more-amiibos-new-wii-u-update-adds-amiibo-support/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/more-amiibos-new-wii-u-update-adds-amiibo-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/11/more-amiibos-new-wii-u-update-adds-amiibo-support/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsUpdate: As our post went live, Nintendo of America unveiled a trailer pinning the 11 new Amiibo figures for February 2015. In the video, which you'll find below the break, Nintendo notes "some of our retail partners will be releasing a certain number of these as exclusive figures, so stay tuned for details."

Original Story: Two more waves of Amiibo figures hit Japan early next year, Nintendo revealed this week. On January 22, 2015, eight of the Smash-compatible figurines roll onto Japanese retail shelves, followed by three more in February. The January octet is Lucario, Rosalina & Luma, Bowser, Toon Link, Sheik, Ike, Meta Knight and King Dedede, while the February triforce is Shulk, Sonic and the blue bomber Mega Man.

Meanwhile, Nintendo of America announced a new Loot Crate Amiibo subscription service this week. Details such as prices and dates are scant for now, but according to Nintendo, "subscribers will receive 10 pre-selected Amiibo (including Mario, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Fox, and Yoshi) separated into three special Loot Crate shipments throughout the holiday season without ever having to leave their homes."
%Gallery-slideshow235988%

@NintendoNintendo
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5.3.0amiibofirmwareloot-cratenintendosuper-smash-bros-2014system-updatewii-uTue, 11 Nov 2014 09:00:00 -050011|20991769http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/ps4-2-01-firmware-rolling-out-aims-to-fix-rest-mode-issues/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/ps4-2-01-firmware-rolling-out-aims-to-fix-rest-mode-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/ps4-2-01-firmware-rolling-out-aims-to-fix-rest-mode-issues/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
PlayStation Europe announced a new PS4 firmware update is "rolling out today," designed to fix at least one of a range of issues that cropped up following the 2.00 patch. The company's Twitter account said the 2.01 update "addresses issues some users have encountered when powering on the system from Rest Mode."

We've successfully downloaded and installed the 2.01 firmware through PSN Europe - the update notes didn't offer any further clarification on the patch beyond addressing stability issues. Typically Sony's firmware rolls out worldwide at the same time, and a tweet from the main PlayStation account indicates 2.01 should be available stateside "soon" if not already.

@Envisager_, @PlayStationEU
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2.002.01firmwarepatchplaystationps4ps4-2.00ps4-2.01updateWed, 05 Nov 2014 06:25:00 -050011|20988891http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/snap-up-xbox-ones-october-system-update-now/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/snap-up-xbox-ones-october-system-update-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/10/16/snap-up-xbox-ones-october-system-update-now/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Microsoft rolled out the new October system update for the Xbox One, which we've verified is available to download now. As detailed last month, the new firmware overhauls the Snap feature, which lets you view a main and side window on screen simultaneously. Now, bringing up the Snap Center brings links to Friends, Achievements, Party, Messages and Game DVR apps, as well as a wee battery icon and clock. Also, double-tapping the Xbox button brings up a Snap quick menu, cutting down the hassle of bringing apps in and out.

Snap now supports the Messages and Friends apps, with the latter spruced up including the addition of GamerScore leaderboards. The boards are based on your GamerHaul over the last 30 days, so long-term Achievement hunters just have to console themselves with their six-figure scores. Or, they could use the new captioning feature when sharing Achievements to rub it in friends' faces - you know, things like "Hah, look at 50G you're never getting, bub" or "I spent the last 42 hours getting this cheevo and I regret nothing!"

Remember Karsten Nohl? The security researcher who discovered how to infect just about any USB device with scarily savvy malware and delivered a lengthy talk about it at this year's Black Hat conference? At the time he didn't want to share the code for his exploit, but fellow researchers Adam Caudill and Brandon Wilson figured out how to pull off some of the same tricks and they've published their findings on GitHub. Why? To try and force device manufacturers to get their security acts together.

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badusbexploirfirmwarehacksecurityusbThu, 02 Oct 2014 19:37:00 -040021|20971521http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/30/wii-u-gets-organized-with-folders-in-latest-update/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/30/wii-u-gets-organized-with-folders-in-latest-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/30/wii-u-gets-organized-with-folders-in-latest-update/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Much like a prospective office assistant, Nintendo's Wii U can now put "good organization skills" on its resume. Thanks to a new system update this week, the console will now allow players to sort their home screen icons into folders. The Wii U menu also added a download management icon in the latest update and updated the home menu's layout.

The system's quick start menu, which was added this summer to cut down on the Wii U's boot times, also received two small changes in the firmware update. The menu will now display when the Wii U is powered on from the GamePad's TV remote menu. Additionally, players can choose software to hide from the quick start menu in the system's power settings. The console manufacturer was a little slower to learn icon management this time around; Nintendo added folder sorting to the 3DS just over a year after the system's launch compared to nearly two years after the Wii U arrived.

So, you've upgraded to iOS 8 and now you're having second thoughts? Well, I'm sorry to tell you, but you no longer have the option of downgrading your device back to iOS 7. This sad news comes to you from developer Steven Troughton-Smith (via AppleInsider), who tweeted the information on Friday:

What Troughton-Smith had noticed is that Apple stopped signing iOS 7.1.2 firmware, which means that once a compatible device has been upgraded to iOS 8, it can never be downgraded again. Those who still have devices that are incompatible with iOS 8, such as the original iPad and the iPhone 4, will continue to have access to the earlier firmware.

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firmwareiOSiOS 7.1.2iOS 8newsMon, 29 Sep 2014 13:30:00 -040016|20969191http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/01/playstation-4-firmware-update-adding-themes-toro-and-kuro-are-p/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/01/playstation-4-firmware-update-adding-themes-toro-and-kuro-are-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/01/playstation-4-firmware-update-adding-themes-toro-and-kuro-are-p/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsSimilar to the Vita, Sony has announced that a future software update on the PS4 will add the ability to use themes, giving players the ability to customize the console's dashboard.

Themes teased during the reveal were animated, featuring famous PlayStation Japan characters Toro and Kuro kicking back in a kitchen. Paging through the sections of the PS4 dashboard changed the background image.

Again, like the Vita reveal earlier this evening, it's unclear if players will be able to select any images to customize their console or if themes will be limited to content available on the PlayStation Store.

A release date for the update had not been revealed. Check out another example of the PS4 themes in action after the break.

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firmwareplaystationPlayStation-Japan-2014ps4themesMon, 01 Sep 2014 03:59:00 -040011|20955179http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/18/todays-xbox-one-update-adds-remote-purchases-3d-blu-ray-suppor/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/18/todays-xbox-one-update-adds-remote-purchases-3d-blu-ray-suppor/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/08/18/todays-xbox-one-update-adds-remote-purchases-3d-blu-ray-suppor/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Microsoft launched an Xbox One system update today, rolling out a collection of new features and interface tweaks in response to user feedback.

The Xbox One's August update reorganizes user activity feeds, adding text entry and expanded options for shared media. After applying the upgrade, players can purchase Xbox One content online and install it remotely without manually powering on the system. Media playback also gets a boost with 3D Blu-ray support and the ability to disable system notifications while watching video.

Other new features include notifications for low controller batteries and a "last seen" option that tracks friend activity. Microsoft plans to introduce additional improvements to the Xbox One's media player and other firmware components in the next system update due this fall.

Devices like the Safeplug can deter companies and governments from snooping on your devices at home, but they're not much good when you're on the road. That's where the PORTAL (Personal Onion Router To Assure Liberty) project comes into play. Load the customized firmware on to certain travel hotspots (some TP-Link models and their clones) and you can maintain strong privacy anywhere you have internet access, without using special software; think of it as an anti-surveillance tool in your pocket. It not only puts you on the Tor anonymity network that spies hate so much, but supports connection masking add-ons that prevent your Tor data from being blocked. You can visit China without worrying that you'll have to use an insecure, heavily censored connection just to get online.

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3gdefcon2014firmwaregoodlifeinternetnetworkingopenwrtportalprivacyroutertortp-linkwifiwirelessThu, 14 Aug 2014 23:28:00 -040021|20947198http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/29/3d-blu-ray-support-arrives-in-latest-playstation-4-update/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/29/3d-blu-ray-support-arrives-in-latest-playstation-4-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/29/3d-blu-ray-support-arrives-in-latest-playstation-4-update/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
PlayStation 4's latest firmware is available to download and install now, bringing 3D Blu-ray support to the system as promised. If you're hoping for the same feature on Xbox One, it's due to hit in next month's system update.

Today's PS4 update also means users can choose to automatically download "Featured Content" from the PlayStation Store - according to Sony Europe's Chris Owen that includes things like demos and time-limited trials, and no charged content. Also, system messages that were in the top right will now appear in the top left, and most importantly of all, the sound quality on 1.5x DVD and Blu-ray playback is improved. Finally, we can all move on!

@Envisager_
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3d3d-blu-rayblu-rayfirmwareplaystationps4Sony-Computer-EntertainmentTue, 29 Jul 2014 08:00:00 -040011|20938514http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/24/playstation-4-gets-3d-blu-ray-support-next-week/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/24/playstation-4-gets-3d-blu-ray-support-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/24/playstation-4-gets-3d-blu-ray-support-next-week/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
Sony revealed 3D Blu-Ray support is coming to PlayStation 4, the announcement arriving just days after Microsoft confirmed the same thing for Xbox One. Whether it's a response by Sony, a coincidence or something else entirely, what's important is both PS4 and Xbox One owners get to watch all those lovely Frozen snowflakes right up close.

The PS4's 1.75 firmware arrives next week, while the Xbox One update - which introduces a few other features - is pinned for sometime in August.

Do you miss your old firmware? Do you have an old device that for some reason you want to run like it's 2009? Well iOS fans, you are in luck. The folks over at TechArrival have compiled a list of download links to original iPhone iOS firmware files for every firmware version.

Take a walk down memory lane with the iOS 2.0.0 for the 2G, and then see what 2.1.0 was like. Maybe you've gotten sick of iOS 7 and want to move back in time to iOS 6. Maybe you'll realize things aren't so bad with your current firmware version. We're not here to judge - tt's your phone.

If you're downloading the firmware in Safari make sure to turn off the auto unzip feature so the files aren't extracted. Head over to TechArrival and enjoy.

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firmwareiosold firmwareWed, 23 Jul 2014 19:30:00 -040016|20935948http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/22/wii-u-update-adds-system-to-system-transfers/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/22/wii-u-update-adds-system-to-system-transfers/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/07/22/wii-u-update-adds-system-to-system-transfers/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#commentsWii U owners can proverbially move home from one system to another using a new feature introduced in the latest system update. The 5.1.0 U firmware adds "Transfer Between Wii U Systems," allowing you to take all system data - user data, games and saves included - from the original console and move it onto the new one.

The most important things you'll need to switch Wii Us are a SD card capable of holding all the data, and both systems to hand, fully updated and each with a GamePad attached. If you don't have your original Wii U, you'll need to contact Nintendo support. Also, be aware the transfer formats the new system before transferring data across, and also formats the original after the process. So when it's over you'll have your new Wii U with all your old Wii U data on it and nothing else, while the old Wii U will be a blank slate. For more info, check out Nintendo's detailed instructions.

Finally, if you - like us - get frustrated with having to relocate the GamePad when visiting the eShop, those woes are over now. Yes, the update also introduces eShop browsing using other peripherals including the Wii Remote, Wii U Pro Controller and Classic Controller.

Plenty of WiFi routers have guest modes for visitors; some companies base their entire business models around them. Many of these devices are full of security holes, however, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation doesn't see that as acceptable in an era where widespread government surveillance is a fact of life. To fix this, it has posted a very early version of custom-built open router firmware that promises both easy access and security. While there is a guest mode, the new firmware (based on the existing CenoWRT) should patch common exploits that leave your home network vulnerable. It will even fetch signatures for updates through the anonymizing Tor network to prevent rogue code from posing as a necessary upgrade.

The Pebble smartwatch nicely alerts you to most of your smartphone's activities, but it's pretty limited in controlling it -- there are just a few functions, like music track skipping. A new 2.2 firmware update finally gives a much-requested feature, however: changing the volume of your phone's music player. That, along with a new iOS-only track progress bar, will help you avoid reaching for your handset when you're grooving while running or biking. You can finally rearrange apps directly on the watch too, and will get longer alarm sounds and some bug fixes. You can grab it by going to "support" in your smartphone app, then choosing "check for updates." Apple users will first need to hit the App Store for an iOS update.

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appsfirmwarePebblesmartwatchupdateVolumeControlThu, 05 Jun 2014 09:11:00 -040021|20907080http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/03/get-karting-quicker-with-wii-us-new-update-out-now/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/03/get-karting-quicker-with-wii-us-new-update-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/06/03/get-karting-quicker-with-wii-us-new-update-out-now/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
The Wii U's summer system update is available now, headlined by quicker booting and auto-installs of further updates. When you turn on your Wii U the firmware's Quick Start menu lets you select recently played or installed games and boot into them in seconds. In other words, getting into Mario Kart 8 just got a triple mushroom boost.

Nintendo already introduced auto-downloading of system updates in the powered-down Standby mode, and now the Wii U can install them in Standby too. Another new Standby feature is GamePad Alerts, namely optional "special notifications from Nintendo" that pop up on the tablet even when the system's turned off.

Other additions include a revamp of the Users Settings screen, a Notifications icon on the Home menu, and the ever-faithful improvements to system stability.

Here are some hard facts: regardless of how proud you are of that Xbox Live handle combining your love for Halo, the Deftones and Arrested Development without subbing in numbers for letters, it's probably hard for online pals to tell you apart from xXC0rtanaSl4ve69Xx. With the June Xbox One update, though, you'll have the option to add a real name to your profile, and thus, friend notifications. Not entirely cool with the rest of your Titanfall squad knowing your given name? No sweat: you can cherry pick who sees the name your parents gave you from who doesn't. And yes, you're right: this is something that the PlayStation 4 has offered since it launched last November. This patch finally allows using external drives for storage too, so long as they're USB 3.0 and are at least 256GB. The update also implements an auto sign-in feature, which should especially come in handy if you pick up a Kinect-less console next month. Previously, you'd either have to manually select a profile and sign in or let Kinect scan you and activate your account.

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firmwarehdpostcrossmicrosoftpatchRealNamesupdatexboxxboxoneWed, 21 May 2014 09:00:00 -040021|20889489http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/ps4-1-70-firmware-goes-live-has-a-bunch-of-extra-tweaks/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/ps4-1-70-firmware-goes-live-has-a-bunch-of-extra-tweaks/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/30/ps4-1-70-firmware-goes-live-has-a-bunch-of-extra-tweaks/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
The latest major firmware update for the PlayStation 4 is available to download now, adding SHAREfactory, HDCP disabling, Twitch and Ustream archiving, auto-downloading and pre-loading for pre-ordered games, and a few extras besides.

A large chunk of the 1.70 update centers around video capture and streaming, headlined by the new SHAREfactory suite that lets players edit and customize their gameplay vids. The HDCP off option allows people to record with capture cards (external recording devices). On the streaming side, broadcast resolutions are upped to 720p and streams can be archived to watch later on Twitch and Ustream - that was originally expected in a separate update, so its inclusion in 1.70 is an early bonus.

There's a bunch of smaller extras in the update too, including brightness settings for the DualShock 4 light bar, sorting trophies by rarity, PayPal support for the PS4 Store, and more voice commands for the PS Camera.

The updates aren't limited to the PS4, either. A Vita update brings automatic detection of devices for Remote Play, while the PS App has one of the coolest little additions: being able to change your profile picture to a stored image or photo on your mobile.

PlayStation Blog
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1.70archivingfirmwarehdcp-offplaystationps4ps4-1.70PSNsharefactorytwitchupdateustreamWed, 30 Apr 2014 07:00:00 -040011|20877972http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/25/next-weeks-ps4-update-adds-video-editing-hdcp-disabling/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/25/next-weeks-ps4-update-adds-video-editing-hdcp-disabling/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/25/next-weeks-ps4-update-adds-video-editing-hdcp-disabling/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
New PlayStation 4 firmware is set to arrive on April 30, bringing the SHAREfactory video editing suite to the system along with other extras, including "HDCP off." Sony Europe and Japan Asia confirmed the date today; PlayStation firmware is usually released worldwide simultaneously, so it's likely the 1.70 update will hit North America on the same day.

Scorsese types can use SHAREfactory to splice gameplay clips together and add some personal pizazz through things like overlays, filters, and picture-in-picture commentary (if they've got the PS Camera.) The option to toggle HDCP off means they can also capture and save high-definition gameplay video to a USB drive.

The 1.70 firmware also introduces auto-downloading, allowing eager beavers to pre-load games they've pre-ordered, so they unlock ASAP on release day.

Update: The PlayStation Twitter account has confirmed that the 1.70 update will reach North America on April 30.

A post on the PlayStation Blog has detailed the updated suite of editing tools coming to PlayStation 4 in the 1.70 hardware firmware. With the new SHAREfactory, budding video editors can splice together multiple clips and personalize them with special filters, transitions, and themes. PS4 users can also use their PlayStation Camera for picture-in-picture video commentary and import original music to give videos a custom soundtrack; though there's no word how that feature will work considering the PS4 still cannot read audio CDs or MP3s.

Also coming in the update is the option to disable HDCP; allowing for direct feed video capture as well as the ability to auto-download and pre-load games that have been pre-ordered; reducing the wait for downloaded games on release day.

Although there's no official date for the firmware update's release, the blog post (and comments) promise it will be soon.

Apple CarPlay in an aftermarket dash system? You bet! And you may not even need to spend a dime. Pioneer's NEX line of five in-dash head units, priced from $700 to a whopping $1,400, will score CarPlay compatibility through a firmware update in early summer. NEX owners with an iPhone 5, 5c or 5s will be able to use Apple Maps for navigation, listen to music and other iTunes content, and tap Siri to make phone calls and send text messages. Pioneer's devices already in stores will be able to take advantage, so there's no need to wait for CarPlay integration to go live before picking one up.

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applecarplaydashfirmwareindashnexPioneerupdateupdatesvideoTue, 15 Apr 2014 11:26:00 -040021|20869483http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/14/xbox-one-april-update/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Joystiq&ncid=rss_semi
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/14/xbox-one-april-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/14/xbox-one-april-update/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Joystiq#comments
The Xbox One's long-teased April update rolls out in "a few hours," Microsoft spokesoldier Larry 'Major Nelson' Hyrb said tonight. Among other features, the system update adds notifications for when friends come online, improved quality for DVR capture, and tweaks to ensure Kinect better responds to voice and gesture control. You'll find a full breakdown of the update's features just below the break.

Other additions include a progress bar for game saves, Blu-ray support for 50Hz content, controller and headset updates to reduce audio static and improve connectivity, and the option to have your system update automatically from the Instant On state when new firmware is available.

Really, Microsoft? You just asked gamers to go through the hassle of updating their Xbox One gamepads in March, yet there's word on NeoGAF that the next patch -- currently in testing -- will once again bundle "new controller firmware." Yes, the (hopefully optional) code should fix connection and headset quality issues that are even more of a pain, but it's doubtful that Xbox owners will relish plugging in peripherals a second time to get reliability that should have been present on day one. At least users can take comfort in new system features added to the list of coming updates, including a button to check for future software updates manually and redeeming codes directly from Xbox Live messages. Let's just hope that gamepad upgrades are less frequent from here on out.

Update (4/7): Major Nelson has posted a list of features coming to the update preview confirming the ones mentioned above. He's also posted a pic of what that new system update check button looks like (hint: it's a button), and explains that now, the system will return to standby after new updates are installed. That "silent reboot" will mean the day after an update we can say "Xbox On" and boot up quickly, instead of having to actually press a physical button and endure the longer cold start process -- we're far too fancy to be stuck waiting around, you know?